B&NES Educational Psychology Service are offering local schools a new programme of training and supervision called Mediated Learning Support Approach (MeLSA). Please see information about MeLSA below.
The training will take place during Terms 1 and 2 (October-November) of the 2023-24 academic year. Applications for a place on the training are now open. We are only delivering this training once per year, so if you miss this opportunity, there is a wait for the next one.
Please complete the application form to apply for a place on the training.
Watch our video summary of MeLSA for more information.
What is MeLSA?
Many schools are already familiar with Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs), an evidence-based approach to supporting the social, emotional and mental health needs of their pupils. B&NES EPS are now offering a similar intervention to support pupils with learning needs. MeLSA is a training and supervision programme designed to build the capacity of schools to support the learning needs of students that present with a level of additional learning need.
Research finds that the greatest impact on learning happens when staff support pupils with thinking for themselves. Once trained and accredited, MeLSA Coaches will use evidence-based pedagogic and psychological strategies to develop independent learning skills with students. Schools with MeLSA Coaches will have a greater capacity to support pupils with additional learning needs. MeLSA has been developed by Bristol Educational Psychology Service and is now being rolled out nationally:
Outcomes for MeLSA
- MeLSA teaches school staff the theories and skills to support a child or young person to be a more accomplished and independent learner.
- MeLSA Coaches will know how to identify the learning skills required for a range of tasks.
- MeLSA Coaches will investigate the learning skills of the specific children or young people they are working with. MeLSA Coaches will apply their understanding of mediation to modify the task or to support further skill acquisition of the learner.
- MeLSA Coaches will understand the importance of the interplay of mindset, metacognition, memory, English and math development with learning skill development.
What does a MeLSA Coach do?
- MeLSA Coaches will teach the discrete thinking skills required, and adjust the content, language or complexity of the learning task so that pupils practice skills to mastery.
- MeLSA Coaches will apply their skills to support class based learning.
- MeLSA Coaches will also be able to plan and deliver individual and small group learning support interventions that would normally last between half to one term, the content of which will follow classroom based learning. Pupils may receive support from a MeLSA Coach to develop, for example, their English or maths skills, explore how their memory works (and discover strategies they can apply to support their memory) or to develop the skills for asking for help.
What training and support does a MeLSA Coach need?
MeLSA Coaches have six days training from Educational Psychologists on aspects of learning theory and practice including how to develop pupils’ literacy and mathematical skills. Following the training MeLSA Coaches receive group-based supervision facilitated by Educational Psychologists. This happens six time per academic year and takes place in a local school. The supervision embeds skills and is a critical aspect of the ongoing professional development process.
Costs
The initial training cost is £795. This is for six days of training, and four supervision sessions. There is a 25% discount for additional places booked by the same setting for the same course.
You will need to pay ongoing supervision costs for the 2024-25 academic year onwards. These costs are currently £130 per MeLSA Coach for six group supervision sessions per academic year.
Please complete the application form to apply for a place on the training.